Floor trap signaling device



Sept. 37, 1935. R. M. HOPKINS 2,014,474

FLOOR TRAP SIGNALING DEVICE Filed June 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Rickard Ho y/1 Z715 ept W, 1935. R. M. HOPKINS ,9

my 45 20 a9 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLOOR TRAP SIGNALING DEVICE Application June 17, 1930, Serial No. 461,732

23 Claims.

This invention relates to check-up or tell-tale devices adapted for installation in business or other buildings and is here embodied in a floortrap device which may be attached to operate near a floor and which includes means, when moved by an unauthorized person, for instantly transmitting a signal to a supervisory system distantly located, whereby a record is made of such trespassing; and further, means are provided for checking up a watchman or other person authorized to set the trap and disconnect it at determined hours, his promptness or failure in performing his duty, being indicated and recorded in the supervisory system above mentioned at a central or information office.

And further, should a fire occur where the improved floor trap device is installed, and certain supports therefor, or elements thereof become damaged, distorted or destroyed, a signal would be transmitted to the central office and recorded.

An object of the invention is in the provision of a device embodying reliable, sensitive, quick acting means for automatically controlling electric circuits in connection with supervisory devices for recording unwarranted intrusion in a premises, and for recording the time when the said device was set for service and when it was disconnected.

Another object of the invention being the provision of a floor trap device of the above described character, which may be quickly and easily installed for service and simple to set and disconnect.

In carrying out my invention, I may employ a drum or casing, preferably stamped from sheet metal with one integral side wall, perforated centrally, to receive one end of a fixed cross shaft, extended beyond the wall to receive a spring washer and a nut; the open side of the drum being preferably closed by a stamped sheet metal cap or cover also centrally perforated to receive the opposite end of the fixed cross shaft which is also extended to receive a similar spring washer and lock nut, and on this shaft, the revoluble parts within the drum or casing are supported.

Revoluble on the central shaft is a spool, connected to be turned in one direction by a train of clock springs for automatically restoring or rewinding a flexible conductor cable or trip cord; its inner end being connected to the spool, and its outer end to a terminal ball plug adapted for engagement with a conductive jack carried in a dielectric block adapted for connection to a wall or other support. To the side of the spool opposite the clock springs, is attached a conductive sleeve or collar provided with a circumferential series of cam or spiral teeth hereinafter referred to as a screw collar for operating or controlling the movement of a dual line control switch, whereby certain circuits operating in connection 5 with a supervisory recording system, may be controlled.

My improved floor trap device may be included in a normally closed circuit of the said supervisory recording system; current normally passing 0 from the line through the line side of the dual switch, thence through a pin contact thereon, through the conductive screw collar, thence through the flexible trip cord, the metal ball plug and the jack to the line wire; thus the current 15 normally flows all of the time, and recording at the information office, the line as in order, or unbroken, and when the line is broken this fact is also recorded in the information oilice as above stated; and should the trip cord be flexed by contact therewith, the screw collar would be turned, and the opposite, or ground side of the switch would be rendered operative to make a record of such occurrence at the information office. 5

In the installation of my improved device,

I may secure the drum of the device to a wall, counter or partition, forming a side of a corridor and say about four or five inches from the floor, and to an opposite wall or support, I may secure 30 the said jack or socket; then all that is necessary to set the device for service, is to draw over the flexible trip cord with the metal ball or plug and force the ball into electrical contact with the said jack to complete the line through the im- 35 proved tell-tale device.

In operation, should an intruder walk against the trip-cord, it would be flexed, thus turning the spool, with its associated screw collar, which latter by engagement with the pin contact on the dual switch would cause the switch to first break the circuit, and send a break signal, after which parts of the switch are further moved to ground line.

Should however, the trip cord be struck violently, the ball plug would be instantly withdrawn from contact with the jack, thus breaking the circuit in that manner, the trip cord being free from the jack would be retracted within the drum by the springs in the casing.

The improved tell-tale device may be installed in purely local circuits utilizing the break only for the signal, and the device may also be employed in single wire as well as double wire systems.

I will now proceed to describe my invention more fully in detail with reference to the drawings, it being understood that I reserve the right to make such changes of construction and configuration of the parts as fall within the scope of the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic partial sectional elevation showing the floor trap device mounted with the drum attached to a store counter and the jack attached to an opposite wall, with the trip cord extending across the corridor thus formed, and a short distance above the floor, the parts being in service position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the supporting drum or casing and showing the associated elements assembled therein.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the drum with the closure cap removed, to clearly disclose the construction of the line switch and the relative position of the screw collar with which it is operatively associated.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged central section of the conductive jack and showing a portion of the trip cord and ball plug device.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are diagrammatic views illustrating the movements of the line switch members as controlled by the screw collar to change the circuit conditions in the operation of the floor trap device.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, |0 designates a store or other counter, table, bench or the like, H the floor and I2 a wall of the store or other premises providing a corridor I3 through which one may walk.

The trip cord or conductive cable Il, may be of any length, and is retained in snugly coiled relation on a spool l9, revoluble on a centrally ar ranged stationary cross shaft 2|], by means of clock springs 2| and 22 arranged to operate in tandem; a barrel casing 23, of the spring 2|, be ing connected to the spool I9 as at 24, and the barrel 25, of the spring 22, being fixed to the stationar shaft 20; the outer end of the spring 2|, being connected as at 26, to its barrel 23, with its inner end connected as at 21, to a clutch member 28, loose on the shaft 20 the outer end of the spring 22, is also made fast as at 29 to its barrel 25, while its inner end is connected as at 30, to another clutch member 3|, also loose on said shaft 20. This arrangement provides an extended spring tensional means for long cords.

In the installation of the floor trap, I preferably secure the drum I4, having legs i5, to the counter I0, about four or five inches above the floor, and I may secure its associated jack IE to the wall I2, a like distance above the floor, or the elements may be reversed, with the drum on the wall and the jack on the counter, as desired.

When setting the floor trap, the trip cord IT, with the attached ball plug I8, is drawn from the spool I9, to more than reach across the corridor, the reserve length being held looped by one hand while the ball plug I8 is inserted in the jack I6, by the other hand, after which the said reserve length may be taken up by the back urge of the trically connected to the body or hub of the screw collar 32, as at 33, said collar having spiral grooves 32, which separate thread portions, as shown.

The dual line control switch 34 constructed as shown, and its operation, may be described as follows: A bracket 35, is connected to the drum wall (Fig. 3) and supports in insulated relation, oppositely extending conductive terminal line and ground switch-pieces 35 and 31 respectively, having each a conductor connecting means 38, and lo spring arms 39, carrying contact points 40 and 4| respectively.

The bracket 35 also supports in insulated relation, line and ground spring conductive arms 42 and 43 respectively; the line arm 42, at its end 15 being provided with an inwardly directed conductive pin 44, adapted for engagement with the screw collar 32 and its spiral grooves 32, for changing the line circuits in certain conditions of signal transmitting; said line arm 42 and conduci tive pin 44 being normally in the closed line cir cuit, said line arm normally bearing against the contact point 43, of the line switch-piece 36.

The ground conductive spring arm 43, carries an insulating piece 45, constantly held in contact with the conductive pin 44 or the end of the line arm 42, by the opposing spring thrust of the said ground spring arm 43; this arm being normally out of contact with the contact point 4|, of the ground switch-piece 31. 39

The casing l4, may be provided with an opening 46, through which the conductor may operate, said conductor being provided with an insulating handle 41, whereby it may be drawn across a corridor and attached to its cooperating 35 jack to close the operative circuit; this handle being larger than the opening, so that when the springs 2| and 22 act to draw in or restore the conductor within the casing the handle will strike the casing and remain outside. 40

When used with the circuit of Fig. 8, the trap is normally set as in Figs. 1. and 5, whereupon a circuit is formed from the main source 50, solenoids 53, 54, line 5|, the contacts 40 (Fig. 6), pin 44, drum 32, cable I1, plug I8 of the trap or traps 4, line 52, resistance 55, line ground 56 to main source ground 51. This current is suificient to maintain the armature Bil and annunciator drop 6| raised; but because of the resistance 55, the solenoid 53 is not suiiiciently ener- 0 gized to raise armature 62 and release drop 63.

Should an intruder now move against the cable and unwind the drum, the pin 44 passes from the position of Fig. 5, through the position of Fig. 6 to the position of Fig. 7. In the passage of the pin through the position of Fig. 6 contacts 40 are separated from each other while contacts 4| are separated, thus breaking the circuit, deenergizing solenoid 54, dropping armature BI] and annunciator drop BI. 60

When the pin 44 reaches the position of Fig. 7, current may pass through source 5|], solenoids 53, 54, line 5|, contacts 4|, grounds 65, 57, thus short circuiting and cutting out the resistance 55, so lowering the resistance of the circuit that enough current may pass through the solenoid 53 to raise the armature 62 and let fall the drop 63.

Thus it is seen that this action causes both drops to fall. If the plug I8 is pulled out, the circuit is broken and drop SI, of course, falls.

With all the traps as in Fig. 5, should an accidental break or opening occur in the line 5|, 52, the circuit would be broken and the drop 5| would fall; but the trap would remain as in Fig. 5, and the drop 63 would not fall. On the other hand,

should an accidental ground occur in the line, the resistance 55 would be short-circuited, and the drop 63 only would fall as above explained.

Thus it is seen that the fall of only drop 6| indicates plug removal or a break or opening in the line, and the fall of only drop 63 indicates an accidental ground. The drops may be restored by hand after repair or resetting.

A Watchman in making his round may be instructed to pull the cable I! just slightly enough to cause the pin 44 to drop to the position of Fig. 6, and then to release the cable. This will cause only drop 6| to fall, but the attendant on restoring it immediately will notice that the drop 6| remains restored, thus showing that the fall was not caused by a break.

I have described my floor-trap device as attached to the sides of a corridor with the trip cord extending across from side to side thereof .but my device is equally adaptable for tell-tale I for withdrawing the trap cord from an extended position and allowing the cord to be extended; a normally closed switch; a normally open switch; and an operative connection between said yieldable means and switches for closing the normally closed switch and opening the normally open switch after the extended cord is withdrawn a short distance, and closing the normally open switch and opening the normally open switch :while the cord is being extended, and opening both switches when a reversal of cord movement takes place and the reverse movement is sufliciently continued.

2. In combination, adjacent portions of a normally closed supervisory circuit having a grounded current source; a normally closed line switch interposed in said circuit; a normally open ground switch having one member grounded and the other electrically connected to one of said portions; and a trap-operated device adapted when tripped to open the line switch and then open both switches and disconnect said portions, and then close the ground switch.

3. In combination, a conducting piece adapted.

1 to be connected to a line; a flexible conductor having an inner and an outer end, means for yieldably releasably connecting the outer end of the conductor to said piece; yieldable means for drawing a portion of the conductor away from said piece to tighten the conductor and to withdraw said outer portion more if the outer end becomes released; a switch having one member connected to the inner end portion of said flexible conductor; and an operative connection between said yieldable means and switch for closing the switch after said outer end portion has been drawn in to tighten the conductor, and opening the switch after the conductor is drawn from the yieldable means, and opening the switch when a reversal of conductor movement takes place and the reverse movement is sufficiently continued.

4. In combination, a conducting piece adapted to be connected to a line; a flexible conductor having an inner and an outer end, means for yieldably releasably connecting the outer end of the conductor to said piece; yieldable means for drawing a portion of the conductor away from said piece to tighten the conductor and to withdraw said outer portion more if the outer end becomes released; a pair of switches, one having a member connected to the inner end portion of said flexible conductor; and an operative connection between said yieldable means and switches for closing the one switch and opening the other switch after said outer end portion has been drawn in to tighten the conductor, and opening the one switch and closing the other after the conductor is drawn out from the yieldable means, and opening both switches when a reversal of conductor movement takes place and the reverse movement is sufiiciently continued.

5. In combination, adjacent portions of a normally closed circuit; a conducting piece connected to one of said adjacent portions; a flexible conductor having an inner and an outer end, means for yieldably releasably connecting the outer end of the conductor to said piece; yieldable means for withdrawing the outer end portion of the conductor from said piece to tighten the conductor and to withdraw said outer portion more if the outer end becomes released; a line switch having an active member connected to the other adjacent portion and the other member electrically connected to the inner end of said flexible conductor; and an operative connection between said yieldable means and switch for closing the line switch after said outer end portion has been drawn in to tighten the conductor, and opening the line if the conductor is drawn from the yieldable means, and opening the switch when a reversal of conductor movement takes place and the reverse movement is sufliciently continued.

6. In combination, adjacent portions of a circuit; an anchoring piece; a flexible member having an inner end and an outer end; means for yieldably connecting the outer end of the member to said anchoring piece; yieldable means for withdrawing a portion of the member from said piece to tighten the conductor and to withdraw said outer portion more if the outer end becomes released; a line switch having one member connected to the one adjacent portion of the circuit and the other member electrically connected to the other portion; a ground switch having one member adapted to be grounded and the other electrically connected to one of said portions; and an operative connection between said yieldable means and switches for closing the line switch and opening the ground switch after said outer end portion has been drawn in to tighten the flexible member, and closing the ground switch and opening the line switch after the conductor is drawn from the yieldable means, and opening both switches when a reversal of flexible member takes place and the reverse movement is sufficiently continued.

'7. In combination adjacent portions of a circuit; a conducting piece connected to one of said adjacent portions; a flexible conductor having an inner andan outer end, means for yieldably releasably connecting the outer end of the conductor to said piece; yieldable means for withdrawing a portion of the conductor from said piece to tighten the conductor and to withdraw said outer portion more if the outer end becomes released; a line switch having one member connected to the other adjacent portion and the other member electrically connected to the inner end of said flexible conductor; a ground switch having one member adapted to be grounded and the other electrically connected to said other portion; and an operative connection between said yieldable means and switches for closing the line switch and opening the ground switch after said outer end portion has been drawn toward the yleldable means to tighten the conductor, and closing the ground switch and opening the line switch after the conductor is drawn from the yieldable means; and opening both switches when a reversal of conductor takes place and the reverse movement is sufficiently continued.

8. In combination, a rotary drum; an anchoring piece; a flexible member, means for yieldably releasably connecting the outer end of said member to said piece; the inner end of said member being electrically connected to said drum; yieldable means for rotating the drum to wind the member thereon; a switch; means electrically connecting the switch to the drum; and an operative connection between said drum and switch for closing the switch after the drum has been winding the member sufliciently around the drum, and opening the switch alter the member has been unwound and sufficiently drawn out from the drum.

9. In combination, a rotary drum; a pair of stationary conducting pieces; a flexible conductor means for yieldably releasably electrically connecting the outer end of the conductor to one of said pieces the inner end of the conductor being mechanically connected to said drum, means electrically connecting said inner end to the other of said pieces; and yieldable means for rotating the drum to wind the conductor thereon.

10. In combination, a rotary drum; 2. conducting piece; a flexible conductor means for releasably connecting the outer end of the conductor to said piece the inner end of the conductor being connected to said drum; yieldable means for rotating the drum to wind the conductor thereon; a switch means electrically connecting one member of the switch to the inner end of said flexible conductor; and an operative connection between said drum and switch for operating the switch when the drum rotates.

11. In combination, adj cent portions of a supervisory circuit; a conducting piece connected to one of said portions; a rotary drum; a flexible conductor, means for yieldably releasably connecting the outer end of the conductor to said piece the inner end of the conductor being connected to said drum; yieldable means for rotating the drum to wind the conductor thereon; a line switch having one member electrically connected to the inner end of said flexible conductor and the other member connected to the other of. said adjacent portions; and an operative con nection between said drum and switch for closing the line switch after the drum has been winding the conductor, and opening the line switch after the conductor has been drawn upon the drum, and disposing the switch open when a reversal of direction of drum movement takes place and the reverse movement is suificiently continued.

12. In combination, adjacent portions of a normally closed circuit; a rotary drum; a flexible conductor means for yieldably releasably e1eetrically connecting the outer end of the conductor to one of said adjacent portions and the other end of the conductor being mechanically connected to said drum; yieldable means for rotating the drum to wind the conductor thereon; a normally closed line switch having one member connected to the other adjacent portion and the other member electrically connected to the inner end of said flexible conductor; a normally open ground switch having one member grounded and the other electrically connected to said other adjacent portion; and an operative connection between said drum and switches for closing the line switch and opening the ground switch after the drum has been winding the conductor, and closing the ground switch and opening the line switch after the drum has been unwinding the conductor as much as one drum-revolution and opening both switches when a reversal of drumdirection takes place and the reverse movement is sufliciently continued.

13. In combination, a drum; means rotatably supporting the drum; a metal collar rotated thereby and provided with a helical groove; a flexible member having one end connected to and Wound on said drum; electrically conducting: means for yieldably winding the drum and said conductor thereon; and a switch comprising a relatively stationary member and a movable member provided with a pin engageable in said groove to operate said switch.

14. In combination, a drum; means rotatably supporting the drum; a metal collar rotated thereby and provided with a peripheral helical groove; an anchor piece; a flexible conductor having its outer end yieldably releasably connected to said piece and. the other end wound on said drum; means for yieldably winding the drum and said conductor thereon; a line switch com prising a relatively stationary member and a movable member provided with a pin engageable in said grooves to operate said switch when the drum winds the conductor being adapted to open the switch when the pin passes to mid portion in said groove or passes through the groove when the conductor unwinds; and a ground switch havone member insulated from and operated by said pin.

15. In combination, a drum; means rotatably supporting the drum; a. metal collar rotated thereby and provided with a helical groove; a conducting piece; a flexible conductor having one end yieldably releasably connected to said piece and the other end wound on said drum and electrically connected to the collar; means for yieldably winding the drum and said conductor thereon to tighten the conductor; a switch comprising a relatively stationary member and a movable switch member provided with a conducting pin engageable in said groove to operate said switch.

16. In combination, a drum; means rotatably supporting the drum; a metal collar rotated by the drum and provided with a peripheral helical groove; a jack; a flexible conductor having a plug at one end adapted to be yieldably releasably connected to said jack and having the other end wound on said drum and electrically connected to the collar; means for yielclably winding the drum and said conductor thereon; a line switch comprising a relatively stationary memher, and a movable member provided with a pin adapted to rest on an end of the collar to close the switch, and to pass through said groove to close said switch when the drum winds the conductor thereon, said pin being adapted to leave the switch open when the pin passes to mid portion in said groove and to close the switch when the pin passes through the groove; and a normally open ground switch having one member adapted to be grounded and the other connected to said stationary member, said ground switch being operated by said pin to open the ground switch when the pin is in mid position, to close the ground switch when the pin has passed through the groove.

17. In combination, adjacent portions of 21. normally closed circuit; a drum; means rotatably supporting the drum; a metal collar coaxially fast thereon and provided with peripheral helical grooves; a normally closed circuit, a flexible conductor having one end adapted to be yieldably releasably connected to one portion of said circuit and the other end wound on said drum and electrically connected to the collar; means for yieldably winding the drum and said conductor thereon to tighten the conductor when thus connected; a line switch comprising a relatively stationary member connected to the other portion of the line and a movable member provided with a lateral pin pointing radially toward the axis of said collar and adapted to rest on the ends of the collar and to pass through said grooves to open said switch when the drum winds the conductor, said pin and grooves being so located as to open the switch when the pin passes to the mid portion of said groove or passes through the groove when the conductor unwinds; and a normally open ground switch having one member grounded and the other electrically connected to said stationary member and operated by, and insulated from, said pin to allow the ground switch to remain open when the pin is in mid position and opens the line switch, said pin operating to close the ground switch when the conductor is unwinding and the pin passes entirely through the groove.

18. In combination, a support; a jack spaced from said support; a shaft arranged in said support; a spool revolvable on said shaft; spring means operating in connection with the spool for revolving the latter; a flexible conductor having its inner end fastened on said spool; terminal means on said conductor for releasably connecting it to said jack; and a stationary conducting member electrically connected to the inner end of the flexible conductor.

19. In combination, a support; a jack spaced from said support; a revolvable spool on said support; a flexible conductor having its inner end fastened on said spool; spring means operating in connection with the spool for winding the conductor upon the latter; terminal means on said conductor for releasably connecting it to said jack and a stationary conducting member, means. electrically connecting the stationary member to the inner end of the flexible conductor; release of the terminal means from the jack causing the double function of winding up said conductor by said spool on the spool and breaking electrical connection between the jack and said conducting member.

20. In combination, a double contact switch having terminal arms, a contact pin on one terminal arm of said switch, a collar including a screw section having threads engageable with. the pin to move the latter, a spool revoluble with said screw collar, means for revolvably supporting said collar and spool, a conductor coiled on said spool and electrically connected to said collar, a jack, means on the conductor for frictional connection with said jack, said connection adapted to break when the conductor is struck.

21. In combination, a flexible conductor having an outer end and an inner end and an electrically conducting connecting member electrically connected to said outer end and adapted for yieldably releasably connecting said outer end to a connecting piece; yieldable means tending to draw the inner end of the conductor away from said piece when said member is fastened thereto, to tighten the conductor and adapted to withdraw the outer end portion of the conductor from said piece if said member becomes released from said piece;

a first and a second switch, means for electrically 5 connecting one member of said first switch to the inner end of said flexible conductor; and means operated by said yieldable means for closing the first switch and opening the second switch after said outer end portion has been drawn by the 10 yieldable means a sufficient distance toward the yieldable means, and for closing the second switch and opening the first named switch after the conductor is drawn a sufficient distance from the yieldable means, and for disposing in opening 15 position both switches when a reversal of conductor movement direction takes place and the movement is sufficiently continued in the reversed direction.

22. In combination, an electrical conducting 20 piece adapted to be connected to a line; a flexible conductor having an outer end and an inner end; means for yieldably releasably connecting said outer end to said piece; yieldable means tending to draw the inner end of the conductor 25 away from said piece, to tighten the conductor, when the outer end is fastened thereto, and adapted to withdraw the outer end portion of the conductor from said piece if the outer end becomes released from said piece; a switch; means for electrically connecting one member of said switch to the inner end of said flexible conductor; a second switch having one member electrically connected to the other member of the first named switch which is not connected to said conductor; and means operated by said yieldable means for closing the first named switch and opening the second switch after said outer end portion has been drawn by the yieldable means a sufiicient distance toward the yieldable means, thereby to tighten the conductor when secured to said piece, and for opening the first named switch and closing the second switch after the conductor is drawn a suflicient distance from the yieldable means, and for opening both switches when a reversal of conductor movement direction takes place and the conductor moves sufllciently in the reversed direction.

23. In combination, an electrical conducting 50 piece adapted to be connected to a line; a flexible conductor having an outer end and an inner end; means yieldably releasa'bly connecting said outer end to said piece; yieldable means tending to draw the inner end of the conductor away from 55 said piece, to tighten the conductor, when the outer end is fastened thereto, and adapted to withdraw the outer end portion of the conductor from said piece if the outer end becomes released from said piece; a switch; means for electrically 60 connecting one member of said switch to the inner end of said flexible conductor; and means operated by said yieldable means for closing the said switch after said outer end portion has been drawn by the yieldable means suflicient dis- 5 tance toward the yieldable means, thereby to tighten the conductor when secured to said piece, and for opening said switch after the conductor is drawn a sufficient distance from the yieldable means, and for disposing said switch in open position whenever a reversal of conductor movement direction takes place and movement is continued sumciently in the reversed direction.

RICI-IARD M. HOPKINS. 7 

